Chairman’s Note
Despite the delay in this Newsletter, Energise Gloucester has been busy.
The BWNG solar roof project is operating well and we now have real-time data on generation and usage. See the data in the box below.
We will have a stand at the DIG Gloucester event on Saturday, 13 October in Billabong Park so come along and talk to us about your ideas or issues.
There is a lot of talk in the political arena about renewable energy and sometimes it is hard to separate fact and fiction. However, the result is that there is increased interest in the type of projects that Energise Gloucester is operating and planning.
We are pleased to talk to any households, businesses or organisations that are interested in considering the installation of a solar system so contact us to organise a discussion. This could assist you to get the best system for your needs and may lead to a new project for Energise Gloucester.
Members of the community are keen to talk to people that have installed alternative energy systems so we will be contacting members separately to develop a register of case studies.
Recently I went to Dungog and spoke to a public meeting where the community is considering setting up a CORE Group. CORE is Community Owned Renewable Energy and Dungog has decided to start the process. We wish them well. At that event, I also made some valuable industry contacts that will help us develop our projects.
Yours with energy,
David Marston
Chair
Project Updates
BWNG Roof
This system is now operating very well and the sunny days in August have resulted in a high level of generation. Data for the whole month and a graph of one day is as follows:
Sunny Portal Info Report for PV System: BWNG for the 8/31/2018
Monthly Production August: 3357.127 kWh
Monthly Power (max.): 23.686 kW
Monthly CO2 Reduction: 3592.126 kg
Daily Production for the 31 August 87.32 kWh as shown in the graph below
Solar for Rental Properties
Work is continuing on the development of this project as we think that there is a real need for it in Gloucester. If you would like to be involved or have ideas about this please contact us.
Bulk Buy
This opportunity is on-hold at present.
Biogas
This is project is currently awaiting information on the amount of waste available for digestion.
Household Energy Efficiency Audit
Energise Gloucester is developing a strategy to source funding so we can start this service next year.
Gloucester Community Solar Farm
Energise Gloucester Inc (EG) is proposing to develop and operate a community owned solar energy farm. As part of the process, we have undertaken a pre-feasibility study. From this pre-feasibility we have decided on a project outline that will become the basis of a detailed feasibility study.
This solar farm will:
- generate 500kW of electricity by using approximately 3,000 photo voltaic panels
- use non-reflective solar panels mounted on frames 600mm above the ground
- sell electricity through a “Power Purchase Agreement” with an electricity retail company and feed into the local grid system
- negotiate this so that the electricity will be available for households and industry in the Gloucester region and beyond
- be at least 51% owned by residents in the Gloucester – Manning community through their investment in the project at a total cost of approximately $1million
- provide a substantial source of renewable energy in the region
- be constructed on about 2 hectares of suitably zoned land in the Gloucester area
- deliver social, environmental and economic benefits to the Gloucester and the region
Energise Gloucester will establish a ‘not-for-profit’ entity that will:
- be managed by a suitably skilled Board of Directors with a high degree of local representation
- complete a feasibility study for the project to determine its technical and financial viability
- obtain the necessary local and state government approvals
- raise the necessary capital funds to undertake final design and construction of the Solar Farm – approximately 51% community funds and 49% commercial development funds
- operate the Farm for at least 20 years using local staff
- investigate electricity cost opportunities to benefit low income households experiencing energy poverty
Gloucester residents and businesses will be able to support the project by:
- investing in the project and receiving interest on their money
- purchasing clean energy through the selected retail partner
- supporting Energise Gloucester to ensure the successful completion of the project
Energise Gloucester has already:
- studied similar projects such as Community Energy 4 Goulburn
- completed a pre-feasibility study to scope the generation capacity, basic design criteria, interest by electricity retailers, grid connection and cost
The benefits of the Solar Farm include:
- the ability of local households and businesses to purchase clean energy from a local solar farm
- an opportunity for Community members to invest in renewable energy generation
- local employment during the life of the project education and training opportunities relating to
- renewable energy and electrical trades
- about 950MWh p.a. of clean electricity worth about $3m
- this energy will be enough to supply about 125-175 homes
- a reduction of approximately 800 tonnes each year in carbon emissions
Energise Gloucester is now seeking technical and financial support to undertake the feasibility study. This will cost about $40,000. Aspects of the feasibility study will be:
Technical details and design
Planning and regulatory approvals
Detailed costs and benefits
Environmental impact statement
Financial and funding models for investments
Management structure for operation
If you have skills in any of these areas and would like to become involved in the study please contact us.
We look forward to working with the community in this project to benefit the Gloucester and regional communities.
Examples of Community Energy Projects in Australia:
SolarShare (ACT)
Hepburn Wind Farm (Vic)
REPower Shoalhaven (NSW)
Community Energy 4 Goulburn (NSW)
Denmark (WA)
Check out their websites today!
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